CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. -- Two U.S. postal carriers have admitted to trashing thousands of pieces of mail that should have been delivered to homes across Central Virginia, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court. Both postal carriers were issued citations for their actions and offered different excuses for why they threw out, instead of delivered, the mail.
In April, more than 1,000 pieces of mail were discovered in a dumpster outside a church on Harrowgate Road in Chester. When asked why the mail he was entrusted to deliver was found in the trash, postal carrier Eric Marshall told investigators he just could not keep up with the delivery deadline established by the postal service.
In March, more than 1,000 pieces of mail was found in a trash can outside a West End apartment complex. It was later determined postal carrier Ashley Gokey lived in the complex. Gokey admitted to throwing out letters, magazines and newspapers. She said she had a lapse in judgment.
Canterbury Square Apartment on Pump Road in Henrico County.
Both Marshall and Gokey are due in federal court next month.
While a spokesperson for the U.S. Post Service could not comment directly about these cases, the spokesperson said the post service takes the allegations very seriously. The postal service takes immediate action to determine what happened and then turns over cases to the Office of Inspector General.
Customers who feel their mail has been thrown away, can file a report by calling 1-800-275-8777.
